GOP's Contumelious Conduct President Obama, in his masterful oratorical skills, never once looking at notes on his podium, as he seldom does, addressed a joint session of Congress-Sept. 9, 2009. House Republicans arrived with signs, props, and a lot of blatant, discourteous conduct. Additional shock was created when Rep. Joe Wilson (R-South Carol True, Wilson issued a public apology after the speech. "I let my emotions get the best of me when listening to the President's remarks regarding the coverage of illegal immigrants in the health care bill," he said. "While I disagree with the President's statement, my comments were inappropriate and regrettable. I extend sincere apologies to the President for this lack of civility." I thought, “Swell. How many hundreds of our youth witnessed this deplorable behavior, and will chalk it off -- as they so often do -- as a simple, 'I just made a bad decision.'? Society is inundated with citizens who simply make 'bad decisions,' but few care to define the term." Wilson's disruption and unprofessional conduct was the most extreme; however, the ocean of civility that should reign in front of the President in all his speeches, was disrupted all too often by the GOP’s other storming waves: Throughout the speech, Republican members of Congress, in conduct never witnessed before, repeatedly held up placards that appeared to represent ideas they had for the bill such as Rep. Louie Gohmert (R-Texas) who held a sign that read "What Bill?" and "What Plan?" When Obama told the chamber that the "death panel" fabrication was, in fact, a lie, a Republican member said loudly enough to be heard in the press gallery, "Read the bill," and when the President A furious Rep. Rosa DeLauro (D-Conn.) commented after the speech, I have never seen such indefensible conduct like this.” "I thought it was very inappropriate behavior, to hold up signs. None of us ever would have done that," said Rep. Henry Waxman (D-Calif.). "I don't think, in the Congress of the United States, especially in front of the President, there ought to be catcalls, or people standing up and yelling comments or holding up signs. Their conduct was appalling, and they need to be held accountable for it.” Rep. John Dingell (D-Mich.), the longest serving member in House history, said he was not impressed by the GOP’s shocking antics. He succinctly told reporters after the speech, "Well, you've got to understand: They're Republicans. They're just doing what comes natural." “Good,” I mumbled to myself, as with disgust and anger, I shut off the TV, “but explaining it doesn’t excuse it.”
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ina), shouted "You lie!" after Obama denied that his health care proposal would cover illegal immigrants. 